Page 8 - Priorities #44 2009-July

Middle School Graduation
The Class of 2013 Bids
Middle School Dean Kathy Hume leads the graduating class procession.
Graduation is a time of reflection, both personally and spiritually, for twenty-eight Priory Middle School graduates. The 2009 graduating class, well known for their sharp wit, didn’t disappoint when Head of School Tim Molak read similes about God that the graduating class wrote as part of a Theology class assignment.
“God is like Bayer aspirin, he works miracles,” said Mr. Molak amidst laughter, “God is like Scotch tape; you can’t see him, but you know he’s there.” Mr. Molak encouraged the graduates to always remember their time at the Priory and to embrace the life and the talents they have been given.
Valedictorian Ben Krausz talked about life lessons through the metaphor of cell-phone ring tones. When recounting his first week at the Priory, Ben described how mystified he was when trying to decipher why everyone was so obsessed with ring tones. Later, Ben said he understood that ring tones were a way for his fellow students to express their individuality. Ben said, “I wish upon all of you the will to always try new ring tones and understand that everyone has many.”
Middle School Faculty Speaker, Matthew Nelson
Salutatorian Stephanie Brugger said, “The class is like one of our science projects, student-made bridges. We’re all Popsicle sticks holding up each other. We support everyone around us, making sure that no amount of weight will break our friendships or ourselves.” Stephanie also reminded her classmates that no matter where they went, the Priory would always be a part of them.
Faculty speaker, Theology teacher Matthew Nelson, enthusiastically exhorted the students to continue to engage the real world and the virtual world, so that they may better serve a world in need of their gifts.
Mr. Nelson said, “I have learned that Facebook can help me understand students, but nothing can replace the magic of face-to-face interaction in the enterprise of learning.” Continuing, Mr. Nelson also asserted, “Facebook is not a substitute for human interaction.”
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